Aaron Durogati wins the Red Bull X-Alps 2025

The Red Bull X-Alps is known as the toughest hike-and-fly competition in the world: a grueling 1,283 km course with 16 turnpoints and four Alpine crossings. The route forms a giant figure-eight across Austria, Italy, Switzerland, France, and Germany, and includes technical climbing sections and high-risk flying zones, particularly around Mont Blanc and Les Deux Alpes.

The race kicked off on 12 June with the prologue in Kirchberg and the official start from Kitzbühel on 15 June. The athletes navigated across the Dolomites, mandatory via ferrata climbs, and a strategic double pass through St. Moritz (known as the "X-Turnpoint"), athletes pushed into France before heading back toward the finish in Austria.

After seven days of hiking and flying more than 1,000km around the Alps, yesterday's final leg to Zell am See became a dramatic sprint to the finish line as four athletes fought for a place on the podium: eight-time champion Chrigel Maurer (SUI1), the two-time paragliding world cup champion Aaron Durogati (ITA1), the former 3rd placed athlete Simon Oberrauner (AUT1) and the 30-year-old Swiss rookie and former Maurer supporter Lars Meerstetter (SUI4).

Durogati sensationally beat the pack after making a ‘magic move’ across the Karwendel mountains. At 13:00 he had arrived first into Turnpoint 14, Lermoos – Tiroler Zugspitz Arena, but only seconds ahead of Chrigel Maurer, Simon Oberrauner and Lars Meerstetter. First to the top after hiking 1.000m up to launch, he then made his move opting for a direct line to Zell am See staying north of the airspace around Innsbruck airport, whereas the other three athletes chose to go south. In the end it was an inspired move and by mid-afternoon he was 30km ahead of his rivals.

In the early evening, he had a clear lead and when he top landed at Turnpoint 15, Schmittenhöhe, at 19:24 his victory was sealed. He then glided down to the landing float, the finish line, in Lake Zell, arriving at 20:01.

Amid emotional scenes an ecstatic Durogati said, "It was such a strong race and it’s unbelievable that I did it! I can’t even describe how this makes me feel. My glide to Schmittenhöhe was insane."

Lars Meerstetter (SUI4) was 2nd to make the finish, Simon Oberrauner (AUT1) third and Christian Maurer (SUI1) narrowly missed on the podium coming fourth. 

Two-time paragliding world champion Durogati is a veteran of the X-Alps, having competed every year since 2013. His best prior finish was 9th in 2019 and success crowns years of persistance. Commenting on his Instagram handle, Durogati summed up the experience as follows "Feelings I can’t describe! 2013, I took part in my first Red Bull X-Alps I had big dreams, but I finished 8th. In 2015, things didn’t go my way either—still top 10, but far from what I hoped. In 2017, I had to withdraw due to a knee injury… and that’s when my long journey really started. I was told I’d never do high-level sports again. But I didn’t give up. In 2019, I came back—my only goal was to reach the finish. Winning wasn’t even a thought. My knee couldn’t handle more than 20 km of flat walking. 2021 came and my knee felt better, but the race didn’t. In 2023, I had a strong race, but one unlucky day and a few mistakes meant I finished 8th again. This year, we finally made it 1283km through the alps. My Team and I won the Red Bull X-Alps—in a race that threw everything at us: strong winds, thunderstorms, stunning flying days, and brutal hikes. Arriving in Zell am See was the most emotional finish line I’ve ever crossed. This victory means more than words can explain. Thanks to my girlfriend Johanna and the best Team I could wish for!"